Yas Marina Circuit officials are keen to retain their perfect safety record

by Carlin Gerbich on May 13, 2010

Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina circuit has implemented a raft of safety changes ahead of the second ever Formula 1 Grand Prix in November.

Speaking to Construction Week, circuit HSE manager Saeed Al Semaihi said that though the circuit’s inaugural event ran without a hitch last year, there was still a “snagging list” of small improvements the circuit owners had worked through to improve crowd safety and access.

“Circuit management, and even the crown prince himself, have the safety of its customers as our top priority – so we are keen to make as many improvements to the venue as possible,” Samaihi said.

“Of course, F1 is a dangerous sport – and there was some reluctance from the teams when we approached them about safety.”

“We didn’t want to have people drive at 10mph around the circuit, but there are things you can do – on not do – to reduce risk. Drivers doing circles and that sort of thing.” But they understood. We were very keen to make sure that the event ran smoothly, so we asked they talk to their drivers.”

Many of the improvements had been made immediately after the event and were in place before the running of the next major motorsport race, the opening round of the Australian Supercars series in February this year .

“There were a few minor crowd issues we needed to address. More signs, additional stairways – that sort of thing – to help crowds enter and exit the venue more freely,” Samaihi said.

Though extensive work went in to the safe construction of the venue and the crowd control measures, there was always room for improvement. Detailed planning eliminates many issues, but it wasn’t until large crowds filtered in to the circuit and the venue was used by vast numbers that potential improvement could he highlighted.

Advance tickets for this year's event, between 12-14 November, go on sale later this month. Ticket sales for UAE residents open ahead of those for the rest of the world. >> Source

Abu Dhabi: On 16th May, UAE residents will get the chance to buy tickets for November’s Formula 1TM Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - a day before they go on sale to the rest of the world.

Tickets will be available directly at displays in Abu Dhabi’s Marina Mall and the Dubai Mall from 4 pm on Sunday 16 May before they go on sale worldwide at 10:00 AM (UAE time) on Monday 17 May. The race will take place at Yas Marina Circuit on 14 November.

“The Formula One Etihad Airways 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was a wonderful celebration and widely regarded at home and abroad as a great success. Because of the resulting global interest in this year’s event it was important for us to make sure that the people of the UAE have a guaranteed opportunity to secure their tickets and be part of the celebrations in November. We would therefore encourage people to buy their tickets when they become available on May 16th and ensure that they are part of the 2010 festivities,” said HE Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Yas Marina Circuit.

The 2009 Formula 1TM Etihad Airways Grand Prix was named Event of the Year by the FIA, the ruling body of motorsport. The event was sold out and the race was viewed by a global TV audience of 600 million. With many rule changes and new teams featuring in this year’s Formula 1TM championship, fans are hoping to see the drivers’ title decided in Abu Dhabi.

Grandstand ticket: These tickets will be priced at AED 1,800 for two days and AED 2,000 for three days, with the same pricing for all seats. Starting on the UAE sale date of 16 May, there will be a 20% discount for a limited period, with tickets selling at AED1,440 and AED1,600 respectively.

Premium “Category 1” ticket: Available at AED4,250, or AED3,400 with the 20% limited-period discount, these three-day tickets offer the chance to enjoy balcony seating, air-conditioned lounges with food and beverage service, and VIP parking.

Paddock Club ticket: Starting from AED14,480, these prestigious one, two or three-day tickets enable race-goers to enjoy a full VIP experience.

“This year, all grandstand seats will be offered at the same price, which means that average ticket prices stay the same as last year,” said Richard Cregan, Chief Executive Officer of Yas Marina Circuit. “Many fans have their own views on the ideal spot from which to watch the race, but that’s the only choice they need to make. Our Initial indications are that tickets for this year’s event will sell out very quickly indeed, so my advice to Formula One fans is to buy early.” >> Source

The starting grid for Grand Prix tickets in Abu Dhabi’s Marina Mall yesterday. Lauren Lancaster / The National. Tickets were also open only for UAE residents yesterday and sales are on for a limited period at a discounted price. Courtesy ADMM

UAE residents and race fans in Europe lead the charge for seats as tickets went on sale a day after thousands of tickets were sold exclusively in the emirates.

“We’re very pleased with the strong demand for tickets,” Richard Cregan, chief executive officer of Yas Marina Circuit, said in a statement. “I believe we captivated the racing world with our inaugural event last year and clearly we are building a loyal and committed following.”

Aldar Properties on Sunday announced plans to build a huge waterpark on Abu Dhabi's Yas Island, with construction starting next month.

The 16.4 hectares water park will feature more than 40 rides and attractions including four one-of-a-kind rides that have never been seen before in a water park.

Aldar said it has already received planning approval from the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council and has appointed the UK-based Atkins as lead designer for the project.

Aldar has also initiated the prequalification process for main contractors for the project and construction work will begin in July. The project is scheduled for delivery in 2012.

Sami Asad, chief operating officer of Aldar Properties, said: "The water park will bring in another distinct feature to Yas Island, further diversifying its already impressive offering.

"It will be a valuable addition to the other attractions that will set Yas Island apart as a major leisure destination and will reinforce Abu Dhabi's position as a great place to live, work and visit."

The Water Park joins a range of recreational attractions at Yas Island such as Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the world's first Ferrari theme park and largest attraction of its kind, which is due to on October 28.

Yas Island is also home to Yas Marina Circuit, host venue for the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Links, the region's first true links golf course, and seven hotels including The Yas Hotel, the first hotel in the world to span a Grand Prix circuit. >> Source

Aldar Properties PJSC has already started the prequalification process for its planned water park on Yas Island, its major leisure and entertainment destination.

The property developer has also received the conceptual planning approval from the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council and has appointed UK-based Atkins as lead designer for the project, which is to begin construction next month and will be complete in 2012.

The 16.4 hectares water park will feature more 40 rides and will join attractions such as Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the world’s first Ferrari theme park which opens on 28th October; Yas Marina Circuit, host venue for the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix; Yas Links, the region’s first true links golf course which opened in March; and seven hotels including The Yas Hotel.

Sami Asad, chief operating officer of Aldar Properties, added that the water park adds to the other features that will set Yas Island apart “as a major leisure destination and will reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as a great place to live, work and visit”.

Last month the company brought the first Geant supermarket to Yas Island and gained support for its (Leadership Excellence Applied Diploma) Programme from the Tourism & Development and Investment Company (TDIC), which aims to sponsor a new generation of UAE leaders.

The company made a net loss of AED314.2 million for the first quarter of 2010 against a profit of AED888.6 million for the same period the previous year. Lower than anticipated land and property sales were attributed by the company for the loss. Investment in key projects fell by almost two-thirds, falling to AED1.604 billion from AED4.5987 billion during last year’s first quarter.

Yesterday its Abu Dhabi-listed stock closed down 0.3% at AED3.12. It has lost 38% in value this year. >> Source

The Yas Hotel is a 30-minute drive from Abu Dhabi's City Centre; a ten-minute drive from Abu Dhabi's International Airport and a 50-minute drive from the Dubai Marina area

*Image Credit: Supplied

When told I was going for a weekend at The Yas Hotel, the prospect of pampering and lounging by the pool was too tempting to refuse.

This was the first time I would see the hotel at night. The drive across Yas Island towards the purple-lit lonely-looking armadillo, although exciting, made me feel a little sorry for the peculiar structure perched all alone in the distance.

As my husband, who had a fractured leg, and I rolled up to the main entrance, we were immediately struck by the bright white interiors.

Porters struggled to disembark our over packed bags — OK, just mine — as we walked slowly to the reception. What would take a healthy individual a few brisk strides took us much longer, as my husband hobbled along on his crutches. However, we later found that wheelchairs are available upon request. The check-in was swift, despite people pouring in for the WWE fight the next night. The staff at the reception was friendly and efficient but when they handed over the room key and pointed us in the direction of the lift, I felt slightly disoriented.

The interior ground floor, except the lobby area, is made up of two connecting corridors with abstract art — one of which leads to the Marina Wing of the hotel.

A taste of India

We lunched at the hotel's Indian restaurant, Angar, ideal for weekend meals. After much indecision, we settled on prawn curry and grilled lamb with steamed rice. We were treated to a selection of four dips — the tastiest of which was the mango and mint chutney — with crispy poppadoms. To cool our palate half way through a fiery meal, we ordered a side of mint yoghurt dip, which was delicious with the fluffy warm naan bread, baked in-house in a tandoor oven. Diners have the option of sitting indoors or outdoors on the terrace with a view of the racetrack. However, outdoors the flies seemed to enjoy our food as much as we did because we ended up eating with one hand and shooing away the buzzing nuisances with the other.

A taste of Italy

Amici is the hotel's Italian restaurant, complete with an antipasti buffet, wood-fired pizzas and fresh seasonal salads and pastas. Located in the main building of the hotel, with seating for up to 56 people and an open kitchen on display, the restaurant has a casual ambience, with optional seating on the terrace under the LED lights of the hotel's exterior. The restaurant also has a summer promotion called the Tutti a Tavola until September, including appetisers, main courses, desserts and unlimited house beverages for Dh250 per person and Dh190 per person for the unlimited soft-drink selection.

A taste of the ocean

Nautilus is a high-class dinning venue, overlooking the F1 racetrack, the yacht club — not open — and the marina, with outdoor views of the glittering night sky. Ideal for a romantic dinner, the service is impeccable and the wide selection of seafood on the menu is mouth-watering. The seafood is prepared to taste — grilled, steamed, poached or stir-fried. However, the scallops to start followed by the mixed seafood dish, complete with Omani lobster, comes highly recommended as it truly is delicious.

Sunset views

Skylite is probably the ideal place for an early-evening or late-night beverage at the hotel. As the name suggests, it is on the roof of the hotel, offering refreshing views of a beautiful sunset or night sky.

Chilled out in ambience, with a cabana feel, it comes complete with lounge chairs. Serving house beverages and light snacks, Skylite is open every evening from 6pm.

The gym

Besides sampling the food, I did manage to get a 30-minute workout with a personal trainer. The Yas Hotel's fitness club is fully equipped by Technogym, offering a true world-class workout experience. I am a member of a gym in Dubai but the equipment at the Yas's fitness club tops any I have ever handled.

Our focus was toning, so the trainer put me on to a piece of equipment everyone should have but probably cannot afford.

Technogym's Kinesis wall-mounted pulley system allowed me to do a simple full-body toning workout. Although most of us do these with machines designed for specific exercises, the Kinesis machine provided a great experience because my workouts have not been the same since.

The pools

The hotel's main rooftop pool for guests is located in the Marina wing but is non-operational now. However, the fitness club does have a covered rooftop pool.

Yet, with a husband on crutches and what looked like a wall of skewed steps for him to handle, my vision of a weekend by the pool, topping up my tan, crumbled before my eyes.

The spa

The luxury spa, set to open towards the end of the year, will be home to ten treatment rooms and sauna and steam rooms on two floors. It also has a traditional Arabian hammam in the rotunda room with a glass ceiling. The spa also offers two-day packages for guests who want a weekend of pampering.

Snooze

Our deluxe standard room overlooked the blue-bend part of the Formula 1 racetrack, which almost made it feel like a sea-view room in daylight.

Separated into two parts, the bedroom and the lounge area, the room — like the hotel — is nothing short of chic-meets-futuristic.

So much so, we could not work out how to turn the bathroom lights off on the first night, which was not an entire disaster as the comfort of the bed made up for our interrupted sleep.

There are two sliding-door entrances to the box-shaped bathroom — with a separate lockable toilet area.

However, those who like to shower in private may find it difficult if sharing the room with another, as the transparent shower and central bathtub leave you feeling a little overexposed.

In true ecofriendly style, the room-service menu and excursion information (which, in the old days, would be leaflets spread out at reception) are all stored in the TV, easily accessible at the touch of a button on the remote, which we later discovered also controls the room lighting, giving you a choice of different moods.

Ordering in a DVD and PlayStation 3 with games was our main source of entertainment, as most facilities had not opened but the entire facility does offer free WiFi connections for all guests.

Summer offers

The Yas Hotel is a 30-minute drive from Abu Dhabi's City Centre; a ten-minute drive from Abu Dhabi's International Airport and a 50-minute drive from the Dubai Marina area.

The Dine and Stay Package, starting from Dh779, includes:

* One night's accommodation for two people
* Three-course set menu in a choice of one of four of the hotel's restaurants
* A beverage for two people

* Accommodation for two guests
* A round of golf for one person at the Yas Links Golf Club or the Abu Dhabi Golf Club
* Transport to and from the hotel
* Room-service breakfast for two or in Origins, the hotel's all-day dining venue

Mr & Mrs Summer Getaway, starting from Dh1,750 includes:

* One-night stay for two people
* An option of room-service breakfast for two or in Origins
* One round of golf — 18 holes — at the Yas Links Golf Club
* A 90-minute in-room massage for one
* A romantic dinner for two in one of the hotel's restaurants

Working where i do and knowing all the dirty little secrets behind all these projects makes me enjoy them less and less ....

Considering that money has never been an issue to build it (by real world standards), the quality of things in certain areas is shockingly poor. And that's even apparent to anyone only driving along the roads every now and then. Some road sections have been redone 2 or 3 times this year and it certainly will start again after Nov. 14.

Went last night to Yas Island, and took the newly promoted "Yas Leisure Drive". and I was very happy to see ALOT of activity in the island (it was 1AM), especially at Ferrari /Yas mall Area. whats most noticeable is that about 5 large empty plots are now Barricaded, some i could identify, and some i couldn't.

Yas Mall had a lot of activities. mainly at the Ferrari world Connected section. the IKEA Store is maybe 50% completed. a large Police station opposite to IKEA is being built. there is a barricaded plot adjacent to IKEA that i didn't recognize. no sign yet. and another one close to the water park area, possibly WB? (i still get lost in Yas and dont know my way around)

there were some activities at the Crescent and marina area too. and the Yas Plaza surrounding looks much more complete now with all the landscaping and completion of road construction. a new tunnel is completed there

but the most important plot, was the Yas Water Park, which I can confirm is under construction